Tilting Wing Achieves
Vertical Flight
Though its prime goal is the
conquest of space, NASA
also channels talent and
money into aircraft re
search. The agency experi
ments with many odd-look
ing designs called VTOL
(Vertical Take-off and Land
ing) and STOL (Short Take
off and Landing) aircraft.
This "convertiplane" tilts
the wing to give increased
lift. With wing and engines
pointing straight up, as
shown, it can land and take
off vertically. When the
angle of tilt is lessened, the
plane requires only a short
runway. Once safely aloft,
the experimental craft turns
the wing to a horizontal posi
tion for normal flight.
A technician installs the
model in a wind tunnel at
Langley. Electricity powers
the propellers. In full scale
the plane would use turbo
prop engines.
Some day you may ride a
2,000-mile-an-hour jetliner
shaped like this swept-wing
model at Langley.
KODACHROMESBY NATIONALGEOGRAPHICPHOTOGRAPHERSBATES LITTLEHALES(ABOVE) AND DEAN CONGER( N.G.S.